I know I should wait...(iMac 2011 replacement needed)

[sigamy]

Hi all,

My 2011 iMac has been limping along for a few years. Internal HD is gone and now I have the graphics glitches--strange globs of pixels flashing like crazy, screen going white, etc. The machine locks up almost once per day. I have to run MacsFanControl to keep fan from spinning like a jet.

I do filmmaking and photography as a hobby--short films and some college recruiting videos, and family stuff. I use both FCP X and iMovie. I have Panasonic Lumix cameras and typically shoot 8-bit 4.2.0 4K, as I'm not doing pro color grading. So, in FCP I create Proxy Media in order to edit. Again, this is purely hobby.

I use Apple Photos for minor tweaking and cropping on JPEGs. I have over 40,000 photos but I've never used photoshop and rarely deal with RAW files.

I've always been an iMac guy, since the iMac G4. I like a desktop computer. I didn't pull the trigger on the 2020 iMac because of the AS transition. Now that we got the first machines and there is no 24" iMac, I don't know what to do.

I know the smartest thing is to continue to limp along and wait for an Apple Silicon iMac. But...just wondering what you all think about
1. M1 MBP 13" with maybe the LG 5K monitor?
2. 2020 iMac - 8-core with probably base graphics card.
3. 2017 or 2019 iMac...if I can find one for around $1500. I would not pay over that.
4. Wait, wait, wait for AS iMac.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Hopefully the iMac will be redesigned and updated to Apple Silicon in Q1 or early Q2 next year. But we really don’t know.

Your idea of MBP + 5K monitor seems like a good one to me. Certainly nothing wrong with buying a MBP or Mac mini and a 5K monitor if you’d be okay with that. I like the notebook + monitor combo because it gives you the freedom of detaching with the ability to dock it for a desktop experience.

 

[linkgx1]

I would say, in your case, you pretty much don't have a computer. I would get the M1 MBP and then the iMac whenever a redesign comes out.

 

[deeddawg]

So just sharing my opinion here…. Take it or leave it

Much as I have always liked the idea of the iMac, overtime I’ve found I keep displays far longer than I keep computers. Especially if it’s a “good” display. I also really like the flexibility of working at the desk, or not working at a desk.

For this reason, I’d lean towards portable computers.

My suggestion for you is to wait and see when the four-port ARM MacBook Pros come out, and see if one of those will work well for your needs with a dock such as Caldigit sells.

in the meantime, if you absolutely need to buy a new computer now I would suggest looking at a used system from a retailer like Mac of all trades, or a refurbished system from Apple. Pair it with a solid monitor that meets your needs, can’t really advise on that though since needs can vary so much.

 

[wyrdness]

Why not M1 Mac Mini with either one or two good monitors? That way, you only have to replace the mac and not the monitors in future.
I'm seriously considering replacing both my 2012 iMac and 2013 Macbook Air with a single machine, but I want a laptop so will probably go for the M1 Air.

 

[onafriday]

If I were in that position, personally, I’d get a new M1 MBP or Mac Mini, depending on if you want portability. Those are both going to kick tons of ass compared to what you’ve got.